"Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."
Within the past week, this verse has become a reality for me. I have now been physically attacked twice here in Marseille. The first occurrence was by a man while I was walking to my apartment from the market one evening. I was able to fight him off and get to my apartment safely. The second time, I was not as fortunate. I was attacked by a group of men and beaten to the ground. The men kept shouting at me in French, so I had no clue what they were saying. They robbed me of my money (which was thankfully only ten Euros), and made a getaway. As they scattered I shouted one of the few phrases I know in French,"Jesus vous aime", which means "Jesus loves you". One of them men turned and gave me a look of confusion. He continued to stare at me with this dazed look for a few seconds until another man corralled him and they took off. I was a bit sore the next day, but I'm feeling fine now with no problems.
It was clearly by God's grace that I spoke those final words to the men as they ran off. Please pray for this man that was so startled by what God spoke through my mouth. Pray that God would transform his heart and mold him into a laborer for Christ.
Romans 8:18 delivers a promise that has been so encouraging in my walk with Christ during these past few days.
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us."
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Monday, May 31, 2010
The Urgency of the Gospel
It's been a while since I've updated. My apologies.
After my first week here, God has revealed a very important detail to me that I tend to lose sight of sometimes. That detail is: THE GOSPEL IS URGENT!
Since my arrival in France, the language barrier has been killer. Several times I have been out in the city and have attempted to communicate the Gospel without a translator, but the language barrier has made this quite difficult.
Before setting out on this journey, I was still quite unsure what God's plan was for me. All I knew was that I was supposed to go. It is becoming more clear to me that God is revealing to me the urgency of the Gospel in the U.S., where there is no language barrier, where Christianity is not illegal, and where I have no excuse for not proclaiming Christ. Recently I've been so hung up on international missions, and it has distracted me from the mission field God has put right in front of my nose.
In the U.S. we've come to a point where true, sound doctrine is being overshadowed by the likes of the watered-down, co-existent spirit of the emerging church. God has used this trip to compel me not only to be completely sold out to proclaiming the Gospel, but also to, through His wisdom and providence, promote truth to believers so that they may grow and bear much fruit.
After my first week here, God has revealed a very important detail to me that I tend to lose sight of sometimes. That detail is: THE GOSPEL IS URGENT!
Since my arrival in France, the language barrier has been killer. Several times I have been out in the city and have attempted to communicate the Gospel without a translator, but the language barrier has made this quite difficult.
Before setting out on this journey, I was still quite unsure what God's plan was for me. All I knew was that I was supposed to go. It is becoming more clear to me that God is revealing to me the urgency of the Gospel in the U.S., where there is no language barrier, where Christianity is not illegal, and where I have no excuse for not proclaiming Christ. Recently I've been so hung up on international missions, and it has distracted me from the mission field God has put right in front of my nose.
In the U.S. we've come to a point where true, sound doctrine is being overshadowed by the likes of the watered-down, co-existent spirit of the emerging church. God has used this trip to compel me not only to be completely sold out to proclaiming the Gospel, but also to, through His wisdom and providence, promote truth to believers so that they may grow and bear much fruit.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
La Langue Égale le Chaos
Well if you were able to translate the title of this post, then you know that I have come to the conclusion that language equals chaos. I currently feel as if I'm engulfed in a melting pot of languages and cultures. In the office alone, I hear a variety of languages ranging from French to Arabic. Most people that work here are fluent in at least three different languages. It's actually quite amazing.
I've been working in the ministry for two days now. They kind of threw me right in, so it's been pretty intense. Right now I am editing some videos that will be used for discipleship among new believers in the Muslim world. Due to confidentiality and protecting the identity of those new believers, I really can't go into detail about the videos.
In the next few weeks, I will be working on filming a project throughout the Provence (the region in southern France in which Marseille is located) that will be used as outreach to Muslims. I'm excited about this because I will get to explore the French countryside a bit.
This evening I went for a run through the neighborhood where I'm living. I had a brief opportunity to greet some of the North Africans who live in the area. The looks on their faces were priceless. After giving me a dumbfounded look, one of the men muttered, "B-b-bonjour, monsieur", followed by a huge smile. The North Africans in Marseille are often ridiculed by the French, so being greeted by a white person (The French are obviously majority white) was quite a shock to them. I realize there is a massive language barrier between the North Africans and myself, but I am trusting that God will reach the people of the Muslim world according to His plans.
Please keep praying for God to spread His glory throughout the nations!
I've been working in the ministry for two days now. They kind of threw me right in, so it's been pretty intense. Right now I am editing some videos that will be used for discipleship among new believers in the Muslim world. Due to confidentiality and protecting the identity of those new believers, I really can't go into detail about the videos.
In the next few weeks, I will be working on filming a project throughout the Provence (the region in southern France in which Marseille is located) that will be used as outreach to Muslims. I'm excited about this because I will get to explore the French countryside a bit.
This evening I went for a run through the neighborhood where I'm living. I had a brief opportunity to greet some of the North Africans who live in the area. The looks on their faces were priceless. After giving me a dumbfounded look, one of the men muttered, "B-b-bonjour, monsieur", followed by a huge smile. The North Africans in Marseille are often ridiculed by the French, so being greeted by a white person (The French are obviously majority white) was quite a shock to them. I realize there is a massive language barrier between the North Africans and myself, but I am trusting that God will reach the people of the Muslim world according to His plans.
Please keep praying for God to spread His glory throughout the nations!
Monday, May 24, 2010
First Full Day
Yesterday (May 23rd) was my first full day in Marseille. I attended Eglise Réformée Evangélique, which is a multilingual church. Usually, the church splits up its services by language, but they did it a little differently yesterday.
Since yesterday was Pentecost, the church had one service to represent the Apostles speaking in the tongues of all the people in Acts 2. There were seven different languages represented in the service. SEVEN! I've never experienced anything like it before. It was truly amazing.
After church, a woman named Nelli invited us to her home in northern Marseille for lunch. She had a beautiful home that looked out over the Port Autonome de Marseille, a major port for cruise ships. It was very encouraging getting to talk with believers from all different cultures.
Since Pentecost is observed as a bank holiday here in France, I have the day off and will more than likely try to see some of the city. Thank you everyone for your prayers, and there will be more updates to come!
Since yesterday was Pentecost, the church had one service to represent the Apostles speaking in the tongues of all the people in Acts 2. There were seven different languages represented in the service. SEVEN! I've never experienced anything like it before. It was truly amazing.
After church, a woman named Nelli invited us to her home in northern Marseille for lunch. She had a beautiful home that looked out over the Port Autonome de Marseille, a major port for cruise ships. It was very encouraging getting to talk with believers from all different cultures.
Since Pentecost is observed as a bank holiday here in France, I have the day off and will more than likely try to see some of the city. Thank you everyone for your prayers, and there will be more updates to come!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Arrival
I have finally arrived in Marseille! I think to say that I'm sick of airports is an understatement. So far my time here has been quite enjoyable. I am staying with a missionary family so it will be really interesting to see how the whole process works.
Earlier, a few of the missionaries took me through one of the Muslim neighborhoods nearby. It broke my heart to see the conditions they live in. This is mainly because they are not loved by the majority of the French population. It's my prayer that God will reveal Himself to them and that they will experience REAL love.
I'm drained beyond reason so hopefully my posts will be more exciting once I'm over this jet lag. Please keep praying for the Muslim population of Marseille and for God's glory to blanket this city!
Earlier, a few of the missionaries took me through one of the Muslim neighborhoods nearby. It broke my heart to see the conditions they live in. This is mainly because they are not loved by the majority of the French population. It's my prayer that God will reveal Himself to them and that they will experience REAL love.
I'm drained beyond reason so hopefully my posts will be more exciting once I'm over this jet lag. Please keep praying for the Muslim population of Marseille and for God's glory to blanket this city!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Gearing Up
If you would have told me a year ago that I was going to create a blog, I probably would have told you to repent for being a liar. However, it would be selfish of me to take part in this experience that God has provided and not share it with everyone back home. Therefore, I have created a blog. Talk about being humbled by God.
Well I'm three days away from departure, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. But God is sovereign and what a joy it is to have this opportunity to serve Him in hopes of furthering His Kingdom.
I left Evansville today to head back home to Attica and spend some time with my family before I take off. The Knight's were so gracious to provide me with food and shelter during my last week in Evansville. That entire family has been such a major blessing in my life. I'd also like to thank my church family at Westwood Church for both their financial and prayer support on this journey.
On my way home today I was listening to a sermon by John Piper titled, "Doing Missions When Dying Is Gain." God spoke such a convicting charge through John Piper and it truly overwhelmed me with an unexplainable trust in God's sovereignty. When Piper is speaking about God's sovereignty he references Hebrews 6:1-3, "Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits." The last three words of this passage were fascinating to me. If God permits. What a testament that statement is to His sovereignty! It's hard to admit, but with all of this chaos occurring with the Icelandic volcanoes, God could easily keep me stateside instead of sending me to France. He gives and takes away (Job 1:21), and all honor and glory is due to His name no matter what the circumstances may be.
Well I'm three days away from departure, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. But God is sovereign and what a joy it is to have this opportunity to serve Him in hopes of furthering His Kingdom.
I left Evansville today to head back home to Attica and spend some time with my family before I take off. The Knight's were so gracious to provide me with food and shelter during my last week in Evansville. That entire family has been such a major blessing in my life. I'd also like to thank my church family at Westwood Church for both their financial and prayer support on this journey.
On my way home today I was listening to a sermon by John Piper titled, "Doing Missions When Dying Is Gain." God spoke such a convicting charge through John Piper and it truly overwhelmed me with an unexplainable trust in God's sovereignty. When Piper is speaking about God's sovereignty he references Hebrews 6:1-3, "Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits." The last three words of this passage were fascinating to me. If God permits. What a testament that statement is to His sovereignty! It's hard to admit, but with all of this chaos occurring with the Icelandic volcanoes, God could easily keep me stateside instead of sending me to France. He gives and takes away (Job 1:21), and all honor and glory is due to His name no matter what the circumstances may be.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)